Sometimes I look at a space and think, “Ugh. That’s a decluttering project I need to do.”
Someday.
When I have time to do a decluttering project.
But then, when time is short before an impending doorbell, I tackle it anyway. Even though I don’t have the time to do it right. Even when I don’t have the mental energy to decide what should stay and what should go, so I don’t get rid of anything.
And then, I’m shocked when I see that just a simple straightening was all it really needed. A tiny bit of time, zero angst, and the bookshelf looks better.
Much better.
Not perfect, but better.
Oh, and I did end up purging a few no-brainers into the Donate Box that’s in the bottom corner of the Before Picture.
Turns out, I didn’t need to declutter (or even perfectly straighten) to feel significantly better about this space.
My printable checklists e-book is available for you – Go here to purchase.
--Nony
I’m learning through your blog that a little here and there can make a huge difference. Thank you so much.
Today during my furious wedding cleaning I realized that I have not two, but THREE mixers in my kitchen. I have two hand mixers that I got as gifts a few years ago. They’re both Walmart quality so I kept the second as backup. Then for Christmas (almost a year ago!) I got a stand mixer that comes apart to be a hand mixer (best. Mixer. Ever.) So I realized today that I have TWO backups for my very nice and not likely to break combination mixer. They’re both out on the curb now with a free sign!
Go you!!
I’m a huge fan of just straightening and tidying up…10 minutes or less makes a huge difference for my soul, brain and home!! Great job on the bookcase.
Noni, I love your posts and always chuckle along with you. 🙂
Now, may I give you a tip about this particular project, given to me by a librarian, and one I’ve found to be tried and true?
Since books come in different sizes, moving ALL the books to the front of the shelf rather than the back, gives a feeling on uniformity, makes it look vastly neater, AND leaves no vacant shelf space for random stuff to get dropped on. Plus, it only takes seconds to do! My husband and i built a library in our house, and all of our shelves, with the exception of the ones I have vignettes of antique toys/pocket watches/etc….on, and it really looks so much better to have all the books perfectly lined up at the edge of the shelf.
Now just carry on with your awesome self! 😉
Great idea!
It actually was the “leaves no place for random stuff to be dropped off” that was my motivating factor when I first tried this years ago. With a husband and two little boys, that bare space became a landing strip for Legos, Matchbox cars, loose change, etc…. But after seeing how great it always looked, well, I remained a convert even when I was living alone and had no Legos or Matchbox cars of my own to deposit, lol.
we had a show in canada called big comfy couch…Lunette the clown did a 10 second tidy..where you ran around and moved fast and got as much as you can done…it’s kinda magical what can happen in 10 second of dedicated effort and yes i mean seconds
crud..that was for the comment of 10 min tidies…
you’ve convinced me with the no room for random stuff…MUST DO IT TODAY
It always comes back to the “How do you eat an elephant?” question. One bite at a time. Decluttering (or straightening up) operates under the same principle. One step at a time, one little bit at a time. Someday, the “the elephant’ will be gone, with nothing but the cleaned bones left. That is a day I look forward to. All the clutter gone…
Dana, You are my mentor. And Anti discouragement source. Now, I always look. Always. And the difference that makes is simply amazing. I’ve passed it onto my sister, who is living with the boxed items returned after a fire, and remodel of her condo. Completely overwhelming. Her living room was full. Less so now. She called me yesterday to say, “I looked in a big tall box, and all it had was 2 baskets, one with a broken handle and lots of paper!” Always look!!! Box gone.
I’m fixing my craft studio (yes the luckiest woman with the best husband) because the floor needed work. Long story. With the help of my neighbor Mary Jo, it’s almost ready. It was better clearing it out with declutter strategy. It will be amazing putting stuff away as I put it all WHERE I WOULD LOOK FOR IT!!!!!!!
And, I never have a sink full of dishes anymore. YOU changed my life!! Thanks Dana, Nancy E